Security Detail Of Raila And Kalonzo Withdrawn Ahead Of Protests

The Kenyan government has withdrawn the security detail of NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga and his ruing mate Kalonzo Musyoka.

Raila Spokesman Deis Onyango confirmed this on Tuesday saying that the bodyguards of the two were recalled to the GSU camp on Monday evening.

ODM Director of communication Philip Etale also confirmed the reports adding that the officers have been deployed to North Eastern Kenya.

In a tweet, Mr. Etale called the security detail removal “ill-advised, backward, outdated and archaic to say the least.”

Police spokesman Charles Owino, however, said the opposition was not being targeted. He said the force was scaling down the security details of all VIPs.

“This is not withdrawal, its scaling down of officers to deal with the shortage of about 5000 who have retired,” Owino said.

It is, however, eyebrow-raising that the withdrawal comes hours before the opposition’s plaed protests against IEBC officials.

Read Also: NASA Anti-IEBC Demonstrations: Govt Warns Against Violence

In other news, IEBC bosses are expected to meet with the presidential candidates and their representatives at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi tomorrow, September 27, 2017.

The electoral officials plan to address grievances raised by both sides, specifically NASA who has made a long list of demands.

In response to NASA demands, IEBC says it will engage the controversial technology firm, Safran Morpho.

A transparent and publicised dry run of KIEMS coectivity and performance in results transmission will also be carried out before the repeat poll.

NASA says Safran mismanaged the election and gave unauthorized people access into IEBC servers to manipulate results. The firm, however, denies any wrongdoing and says a company audit found no problems.

“Due to time constraints before the fresh election, the commission will continue to manage the ICT/KIEMS system implemented by OT Morpho/Safran,” Chebukati said in the letter to NASA.

The IEBC chairman said the commission will also retain Dubai firm Al Ghurair to print ballots which NASA opposes.

Chebukati said the commission still has a two-year contract with Al Ghurair to print elections material and UNDP offered to fund the contract.

“The UNDP has offered to procure ballot papers and results forms. This assistance is meant to aid restore public confidence and trust in the integrity of the ballot papers and results forms to be used in the fresh elections, as well as address the concerns raised by the Supreme Court,” Chebukati said.